Nissan's Leaf EV blows rivals
2012-04-30 10:41
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM GOVERNMENT: Norway has shown just how critical government support is for the large-scale introduction of electric vehicles.
ROLLE, Switzerland - Nissan in Norway has sold 1000 of its Leaf battery cars in six months, taking almost two percent of that country's total car market in February in a show, the automaker said, of the effect of "comprehensive incentives and developed charging infrastructure".
Norwegian state support and charging infrastructure have helped the Nissan Leaf become the second-best seller Nissan in Norway and the ninth best-selling car overall in February, the automaker said.
Norway has the highest level of support in Europe for electric vehicle purchases thanks to zero VAT, no new car tax, free parking, exemption from some tolls and the use of bus lanes in the capital, Oslo. The on-street charging infrastructure in Oslo has 3500 public points, many of them free.
INCENTIVES 'UNSURPASSED'
Olivier Paturet, general manager of Zero Emission Strategy at Nissan Europe, was delighted to attend the handover: "We are very happy to see that the ambition of the Norwegian government has matched our own with strong support for the widespread introduction of electric vehicles.
"The Norwegian package of incentives is unsurpassed and the charging infrastructure is established and accessible. We can see that Norway is leading the way with its proactive approach to encouraging its citizens to drive electric vehicles."
The 1000th car handover was on April 25, 2012 at the Ministry of Environment where the minister, Bard Vegar Solhjell, handed over the keys to Nils Haugerud.
